Associate Program Material

Discrimination Worksheet

Write a 100- to 200-word response to each of the following questions. Provide citations for all the sources you use.

• What is discrimination? How is discrimination different from prejudice and stereotyping?

Discrimination is the denial of equal rights, opportunities to individuals or groups due to arbitrary reasons. (Schaefer, 2012). Stereotyping is a generalization of a group of people. Although it may be hurtful to people it does not deny someone the opportunity to do something. The same goes for prejudice. Prejudice is a negative attitude towards races and ethnic minorities is hurtful but it does not deny rights to people. Gay couples are discriminated against in certain states where they are not allowed to get married. In states that allow gay marriages there are still people that are prejudice against gay couples due to their beliefs.

• What are the causes of discrimination?

One of the main causes of discrimination is prejudice. When a person is prejudice against another person they feel that they are better than the other person. They do not want them to have the same opportunities as they do. A manager is hiring for a position. If he is prejudice against women and the choice comes down to a woman and a man he will chose the man even if the man’s qualifications are not good enough for the position. Stereotypes also cause discrimination. A similar scenario would be a young black man came in for an interview the manager would not hire him if he believed in the stereotype that all young black males are a part of a gang.

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